Article holder

ABSTRACT

A one piece molded plastic holder for a safety razor has a base including support surface portions for the head and handle of the razor, a first stop structure at one end of the base for limiting longitudinal movement of the razor in one direction, a second stop structure at the opposite end of the base for limiting longitudinal movement of the razor in the opposite direction, resilient means connecting one of the stop structures to the base, first securing means for securing the razor head in the holder, and second securing means for securing the razor handle in the holder.

United States Patent [191 Nissen et al.

[ 1 ARTICLE HOLDER [75] Inventors: Warren 1. Nissan, Topsfield;

Richard J. Petrillo, Norwell, both of Mass.

[73] Assignee: The Gillette Company, Boston,

Mass.

22 Filed: May 17, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 143,959

[52] U.S. Cl. ..206/16 A [51] Int. Cl. ..B65d 85/54 [58] Field of Search..206/l R, 16 R, 16 A,

[451 May 29,1973

3,609,862 10/1971 Ornstberger ..206/16 A X 3,367,482 2/1968 Samsing..30/90 X 3,591,299 7/ 1971 Pharris ..206/47 R UX PrimaryExaminer-George E. Lowrance Assistant Examiner-Steven E. LipmanAttorney-Willis M. Ertman 571 ABSTRACT A one piece molded plastic holderfor a safety razor has a base including support surface portions for thehead and handle of the razor, a first stop structure at one end of thebase for limiting longitudinal movement of the razor in one direction, asecond stop structure at the opposite end of the base for limitinglongitudinal movement of the razor in the opposite direction, resilientmeans connecting one of the stop structures to the base, first securingmeans for securing the razor head in the holder, and second securingmeans for securing the razor handle in the holder.

14 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEB MAY 2 9 I975 SHEET 2 [IF 2 FIG l342 FIG l2 ARTICLE HOLDER SUMMARY OF INVENTION This invention relates toarticle holders and more particularly to holders for razors of the typehaving an elongated handle and a transversely extending head portion atone end of the handle.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel and improved holderfor a safety razor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedholder for a razor that is simple, compact, and inexpensive.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sturdy holder for arazor that functions as a support tray and facilitates transportation ofthe razor.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedone piece support tray for a razor from which the razor may be easilyremoved and inserted and which provides protection for the sharpenededge of the razor blade, both against damage to the blade and againstdamage to other objects by the blade.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a holder for a safetyrazor of the type having an elongated handle and a transverselyextending head portion at one end of the handle that comprises a onepiece molded plastic member having a base including a support surfaceportion for the head and the handle, a first stop structure at one endof the base for limiting longitudinal movement of the razor in onedirection and a second stop structure at the opposite end of the basefor limiting longitudinal movement of the razor in the oppositedirection. Resilient means connect at least one of the stop structuresto the base. A first securing means secures the razor head and a secondsecuring means similarly secures the razor handle so that the razor isreleasably secured in the holder.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the first and second stopstructures are wall structures that extend upwardly from the base, andeach wall structure has a transversely extending portion which limitslongitudinal movement of the razor and opposed side wall portions whichlimit lateral movement of the head and handle portions, respectively.The wall portion or structure that cooperates with the razor head isspaced from and connected to the base by integral wall extensionportions so that that wall structure may resiliently move relative tothe base as the razor head is inserted into the holder. The razor headsecuring structure is formed integrally with the wall structure thatlimits lon gitudinal movement of the head portion while the razor handlesecuring structure is formed integrally with the wall structure thatlimits the longitudinal and lateral movement of the handle.

In a particular embodiment the wall structure that limits thelongitudinal movement and lateral movement of the head portion includesa transversely extending vertical end wall member and two verticallyextending parallel side wall members. The head securing structurecomprises a member that extends along the top of the end wall to theadjacent side wall and includes an inclined camming surface for engagingthe razor head as it is inserted into the holder. Ribs, parallel to theside walls, are formed in the base and engage protector structure ateither end of the blade support platform of the razor, those protectorstructures sliding along the ribs as the razor is inserted into .orremoved from the holder so that the sharpened edge of the blade does notcontact a surface of the holder.

The handle movement limiting and securing structure similarly includes avertically extending end wall and two opposed spaced side walls. Thesecuring structure includes a latch structure formed in each side walland that portion of the side wall carrying the latch structure is spacedfrom the base. Each handle latch structure includes an upper outwardlyinclined camming surface and a lower inwardly inclined surface that forma latch edge at the junction of the two surfaces past which the razorhandle is snapped for latching engagement by the lower surface.

A holder constructed in accordance with the invention provides a sturdystructure for supporting a razor when not in use and facilitatestransport of the razor. It is simple, inexpensive, compact and easy touse. The razor may be inserted into the holder either handle end firstor head end first and the holder provides protection for the sharpenededge of the blade both during insertion or removal of the razor from theholder and while the razor is stored in the holder.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be seen asthe following description of a particular embodiment progresses, inconjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a razor holder constructed in accordancewith the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the razor holder in inverted positionwith a razor positioned in the holder;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the razor holder shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the back of the razor holder;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the razor holder, to a larger scale and withparts broken away showing details of the razor head supported in therazor holder;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6 of aportion of the razor holder;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of one end of the razor holder showing additionaldetails of the handle latch structure;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 10-l0 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 10 showing a razor handlepositioned in the latch structure;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line l212 of FIG. 6 showingdetails of the razor head latch structure and one mode of inserting orremoving a razor from the holder; and

FIG. 13 is a side view, with parts broken away, showing the razor holderand one mode of inserting a razor into the holder.

DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENT The holder shown in FIGS. 1-5 ismolded from a high impact styrene and has a length of 4.75 inches. Theholder includes a planar base 10 that is 0.080 inch in thickness with atransversely extending vertical wall 12 at one end that functions tolimit longitudinal movement of the razor in one direction and a similarvertical, transversely extending wall 14 at the other end that isparallel to wall 12 and which similarly functions as a stop structure tolimit longitudinal movement of the razor in the opposite direction. Endwall 12 has a thickness of 0.080 inch, a length of 2.060 inch and aheight of 0.605 inch. Its lower surface 16 (FIG. 4) is spaced 0.120 inchabove the bottom of the base. End wall 14 has a thickness of 0.060 inch,a height of 0.525 inch and a width of 0.540 inch.

Extending rearwardly from end wall 12 are parallel side walls 18, 20that are similarly 0.605 inch in height and 0.080 inch in thickness.These side walls are spaced from base 10 by groove 22 (best seen in FIG.5) and are 0.565 inch in length. Transition wall portions 24, 26, alsospaced from base by groove 22, are 0.080 inch in thickness and eachextends inwardly at an angle of to wall 12 for a length of 0.400 inchand then decreases in height at an angle of 18 to the vertical to baseside wall portions 28, 30, each of which has a height above the uppersurface of base 10 of 0.165 inch. The thickness of side walls 28 and 30tapers from 0.080 inch at the head end to 0.060 inch where they join endwall 14. Adjacent end wall 14 these side walls increase in height to0.525 inch to form lateral restraint portions 32, 34.

Formed on each such restraint portion is a latch structure 36, 38, eachof which includes an inclined upper surface 40, an inwardly inclinedintermediate surface 42 and a vertical lower surface 44. The junctionbetween surfaces 40 and 42 defines a latch edge 46. The portions of sidewall portions 32, 34 that support the latch structures 36, 38,respectively, are spaced from base 10 by an I-I-shaped groove 48 (bestseen in FIG. 5) that includes side portions 50, 52 each 0.710 inch inlength and 0.060 inch in width, and a center portion 54.

Formed in the base are two apertures 60, 62 each of which has achamfered surface for receiving the head of a screw type fastener.Recess 64 in base 10 is provided to accommodate an adjusting mechanismof the razor. Ribs 66, 68, each 0.030 inch high, 0.060 inch wide andabout 0.4 inch long, are disposed parallel to side walls 18, 20, andspaced inwardly from the adjacent side wall a distance of 0.115 inch.

At the top of end wall 12 and extending between that end wall and eachadjacent side wall 18, are securing structures 70, 72. Each suchsecuring structure includes vertical surface 74 that is disposed at anangle of 12 to wall 12 and contacts the associated side wall at adistance of 0.1 10 inch from the junction between wall 12 and thatassociated side wall. Surface 76, inclined at an angle of 30", connectssurface 74 to a horizontal surface 78, the transition between surfaces76 and 78 being parallel to and at a distance of 0.062 inch from wall 12(as shown in FIG. 7).

Additional details of the handle latch structures 36, 38 may be had withreference to FIGS. 8-11. As there shown, each latch structure is aprotrusion on the corresponding side wall portion 32, 34, eachprotrusion having a width at the top of 0.l50 inch and side wallsurfaces 80, 82, each side wall being inclined at an angle of 5 to thevertical. The latch structures are disposed at an angle of 2 56 to thelongitudinal axis of the holder, the forward edge (at side wall 80) ofinclined surface 40 being disposed at an angle of 20-29' to the verticalwhile the rear edge (at side wall 82) is inclined at an angle of 18-l7.Surface 42 is inclined at an angle of 45 and surface 44 is substantiallyvertical. The latch edge 46 defined by the intersection of surfaces 40and 42, is inclined at an angle of 6 to the longitudinal axis of theholder.

This holder is designed for use with a razor similar to that disclosedin Nissen U.S. Pat. No. 3,375,578. Such a razor, as shown in FIG. 2, hasa handle A and a transversely extending head portion B. This particularrazor includes a holder (which defines the handle A and has a capportion 90 (FIG. 12)) and a cartridge which stores a length of bandblade 92 (FIGS. 6 and 12) that provides a series of shaving edges thatextend from a supply position across a planar support platform 94 of thecartridge to a take up position. The blade has a sharpened forward edge96 which projects beyond the front edge of the blade support platform94. A guard surface 98, at either end of the blade support platform isdisposed in front of each end of the blade support platform 94 andextends upwardly in front of the blade 92 at the point at which theblade is bent around a small radius. A guard member 100 extends betweenthe guard projections 98, and in this type of razor, is adjustablerelative to the blade edge 96 to provide a range of shaving geometries.

The razor may be inserted into the holder either head portion first orhandle portion first. In the first mode of insertion, the head portionis positioned between side walls 18 and 20 as indicated in FIG. 13 withguard projections 98 resting on ribs 66, 68. The razor is slid forwarduntil cap 90 abuts end wall 12 as shown in FIG. 12 and then the handle Ais rotated downwardly until it reaches the position indicated by line Ain FIGS. 9 and 11. In this position surfaces of the handle are restingon the inwardly tapering surface 40 of the handle latch structure. Bymanual pressure the handle is forced down towards base 10 past latchedges 46, the latch structures flexing outwardly due to the resilienceof the material and as facilitated in part by slots 50 and 52. Whenhandle reaches the position A indicated in FIG. 9 and FIG. 11, thewidest part of the handle is below latch edges 46 and the latchstructures spring back so that surfaces 46 overlie the handle andsecurely latch it in the holder. To remove the razor from the holder,the user merely grasps the handle at a point along the length of sidewalls 28, 30 (which may be further reduced in height if desirable tofacilitate grasping of the handle), the handle is lifted out of thehandle latch structure to the position shown in FIG. 13 and then thehead portion B is removed from the holder.

Alternatively, the razor may be inserted into the holder handle first.In this mode of insertion, the handle is first positioned as indicatedat A indicated in FIGS. 9 and 11 and then manually forced to A" positionas above described in latching operation. In this position the inclinedsurface 102 (FIG. 12) of cap 90 rests on securing members and 72. Manualpressure applied to the head B of the razor forces surface 102 downwardpast surfaces 74, wall 12 flexing outwardly as permitted by theresilient spring portions of the holder and the cap slides acrosssurfaces 74 into the recess so that projections 98 rest on support ribs66 and 68. As surface 104 of the cap slides past surface 74, the members70, 72 snap back due to the resilience of the holder material to theposition overlying cap 90 substantially as shown in FIG. 12 and therazor is secured in the holder.

Thus, it will be seen that the invention provides a holder whichreliably secures the razor. It is a compact, sturdy device which permitsconvenient storage and transport of the razor and provides protectionfor the blade both against damage to the blade and damage to otherobjects by the blade. It will be understood that the invention may beused with razor configurations other than the described razor and avariety of modifications of the disclosed embodiment will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Therefore, while a particular embodiment ofthe invention has been shown and described, it is not intended that theinvention be limited to the disclosed embodiment or to details thereofand departures may be made therefrom within the spirit and scope of theclaims.

What is claimed is:

l. A holder for a safety razor of the type having an elongated handleand a transversely extending head portion at one end of the handlecomprising a one piece molded plastic member having a base includingsupport surface portions for said head and said handle, a first stopstructure at one end of said base for limiting longitudinal movement ofsaid razor in one direction, a second stop structure at the opposite endof said base for limiting longitudinal movement of the razor in theopposite direction, at least one of said stop structures being spacedfrom said base, resilient means connecting said one stop structure tosaid base so that said one stop structure may move relative to said basein a direction away from the other stop structure as the razor isinserted into the holder, first securing means for securing said razorhead and second securing means for securing said razor handle so thatthe razor may be secured in said holder.

2. The holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said first andsecond stop structures is a U-shaped wall structure that extendsupwardly from said base, each said wall structure having a transverselyextending end wall portion which limits longitudinal movement of therazor and two opposed side wall portions which limit lateral movement ofthe engaged razor portion.

3. The holder as claimed in claim 2 wherein said base is narrower thansaid end wall portion of said one stop structure and said resilientmeans includes two transition wall portions, each said transition wallportion extending inwardly from a respective side wall portion to saidbase and permitting said end wall portion to move relative to said baseas the razor is inserted into the holder.

4. The holder as claimed in claim 2 wherein said razor head and razorhandle securing means are formed integrally with said first and secondstop structures, respectively.

5. The holder as claimed in claim 1 for use with a razor that includes aguard member and two guard surfaces, one at each end of said guardmember, said holder further including two parallel rib members havingsurfaces disposed above the plane of said base for engaging said guardsurfaces and supporting said guard member so that said guard member doesnot touch said base.

6. The holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second stop structureincludes a vertically extending end wall and two opposed spaced sidewalls and said handle securing means includes latch structure formed ineach said side wall, that portion of each side wall carrying said latchstructure being spaced from said base.

7. The holder as claimed in claim 6 wherein each said handle latchstructure includes an upper inclined camming surface and an intermediateinclined latch surface so that a latch edge is defined at the junctionof said two surfaces past which the razor handle is snapped for latchingengagement by said intermediate surface.

8. A holder for a safety razor of the type having an elongated handleand a transversely extending head portion at one end of the handlecomprising a one piece molded plastic member having a base includingsupport surface portions for said head and said handle, a first stopstructure at one end of said base for limiting longitudinal movement ofsaid razor in one direction, said first stop structure including atransversely extending end wall member and two side wall members, saidfirst stop structure being spaced from said base, resilient meanscomprising integral wall extension portions extending inwardly from eachrespective side wall member to said base connecting said first stopstructure to said base so that said first stop structure may moverelative to said base as the razor is inserted into the holder, a headsecuring means projecting from said end wall member, said securing meansincluding a surface overlying said base for securing the razor head insaid holder, and handle securing means for securing the razor handle insaid holder.

9. The holder as claimed in claim 8 wherein said head securing meansincludes two securing members, one at each end of said end wall, eachsaid securing member including a surface overlying said base forsecuring the razor head in said holder, each said surface being taperedin width, the width decreasing inwardly from the end of said end wall.

110. A holder for a safety razor of the type having an elongated handleand a transversely extending head portion at one end of the handlecomprising a one piece molded plastic member having a base includingsupport surface portions for said head and said handle, a first stopstructure at one end of said base for limiting longitudinal movement ofsaid razor in one direction, said first stop structure including atransversely extending vertical first end wall member spaced from saidbase, resilient means including integral wall extension portionsconnecting the ends of said first end wall member to said base so thatsaid first end wall member may move relative to the base as the razorhead is inserted into the holder, a securing member disposed along thetop of said first end wall member, said securing member including asurface overlying said base for securing the razor head in said holder,a second stop structure at the opposite end of said base from said firststop structure for limiting longitudinal movement of the razor in theopposite direction, said second stop structure including a verticallyextending second end wall member, and handle securing means connected tosaid base, said handle securing means including two opposed spaced latchmembers, each said latch member including an upper camming surface and alower offset surface so that an intermediate latch surface is definedbetween said upper and lower surfaces past which the razor handle issnapped for latching engagement by said latch surfaces.

11. The holder as claimed in claim 10 wherein said head securing memberincludes two securing members, one at each end of said end wall, eachsaid securing member including a surface overlying said base forsecuring the razor head in said holder, each said surface being taperedin width, the width decreasing inwardly from the end of said end wall.

12. The holder as claimed in claim 111 wherein said base has a planarupper surface extending substantially the entire length of said base.

spaced side walls, one of said latch members being formed in each saidside wall, that portion of each side wall carrying said latch memberbeing spaced from said base, each said upper surface being' outwardlyinclined and each said intermediate surface being inwardly inclined sothat a latch edge is defined at the junction of said upper andintermediate surfaces past which the razor handle is snapped forlatching engagement by said intermediate surface.

1. A holder for a safety razor of the type having an elongated handleand a transversely extending head portion at one end of the handlecomprising a one piece molded plastic member having a base includinGsupport surface portions for said head and said handle, a first stopstructure at one end of said base for limiting longitudinal movement ofsaid razor in one direction, a second stop structure at the opposite endof said base for limiting longitudinal movement of the razor in theopposite direction, at least one of said stop structures being spacedfrom said base, resilient means connecting said one stop structure tosaid base so that said one stop structure may move relative to said basein a direction away from the other stop structure as the razor isinserted into the holder, first securing means for securing said razorhead and second securing means for securing said razor handle so thatthe razor may be secured in said holder.
 2. The holder as claimed inclaim 1 wherein each of said first and second stop structures is aU-shaped wall structure that extends upwardly from said base, each saidwall structure having a transversely extending end wall portion whichlimits longitudinal movement of the razor and two opposed side wallportions which limit lateral movement of the engaged razor portion. 3.The holder as claimed in claim 2 wherein said base is narrower than saidend wall portion of said one stop structure and said resilient meansincludes two transition wall portions, each said transition wall portionextending inwardly from a respective side wall portion to said base andpermitting said end wall portion to move relative to said base as therazor is inserted into the holder.
 4. The holder as claimed in claim 2wherein said razor head and razor handle securing means are formedintegrally with said first and second stop structures, respectively. 5.The holder as claimed in claim 1 for use with a razor that includes aguard member and two guard surfaces, one at each end of said guardmember, said holder further including two parallel rib members havingsurfaces disposed above the plane of said base for engaging said guardsurfaces and supporting said guard member so that said guard member doesnot touch said base.
 6. The holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidsecond stop structure includes a vertically extending end wall and twoopposed spaced side walls and said handle securing means includes latchstructure formed in each said side wall, that portion of each side wallcarrying said latch structure being spaced from said base.
 7. The holderas claimed in claim 6 wherein each said handle latch structure includesan upper inclined camming surface and an intermediate inclined latchsurface so that a latch edge is defined at the junction of said twosurfaces past which the razor handle is snapped for latching engagementby said intermediate surface.
 8. A holder for a safety razor of the typehaving an elongated handle and a transversely extending head portion atone end of the handle comprising a one piece molded plastic memberhaving a base including support surface portions for said head and saidhandle, a first stop structure at one end of said base for limitinglongitudinal movement of said razor in one direction, said first stopstructure including a transversely extending end wall member and twoside wall members, said first stop structure being spaced from saidbase, resilient means comprising integral wall extension portionsextending inwardly from each respective side wall member to said baseconnecting said first stop structure to said base so that said firststop structure may move relative to said base as the razor is insertedinto the holder, a head securing means projecting from said end wallmember, said securing means including a surface overlying said base forsecuring the razor head in said holder, and handle securing means forsecuring the razor handle in said holder.
 9. The holder as claimed inclaim 8 wherein said head securing means includes two securing members,one at each end of said end wall, each said securing member including asurface overlying said base for securing the razor head in said holder,each said surFace being tapered in width, the width decreasing inwardlyfrom the end of said end wall.
 10. A holder for a safety razor of thetype having an elongated handle and a transversely extending headportion at one end of the handle comprising a one piece molded plasticmember having a base including support surface portions for said headand said handle, a first stop structure at one end of said base forlimiting longitudinal movement of said razor in one direction, saidfirst stop structure including a transversely extending vertical firstend wall member spaced from said base, resilient means includingintegral wall extension portions connecting the ends of said first endwall member to said base so that said first end wall member may moverelative to the base as the razor head is inserted into the holder, asecuring member disposed along the top of said first end wall member,said securing member including a surface overlying said base forsecuring the razor head in said holder, a second stop structure at theopposite end of said base from said first stop structure for limitinglongitudinal movement of the razor in the opposite direction, saidsecond stop structure including a vertically extending second end wallmember, and handle securing means connected to said base, said handlesecuring means including two opposed spaced latch members, each saidlatch member including an upper camming surface and a lower offsetsurface so that an intermediate latch surface is defined between saidupper and lower surfaces past which the razor handle is snapped forlatching engagement by said latch surfaces.
 11. The holder as claimed inclaim 10 wherein said head securing member includes two securingmembers, one at each end of said end wall, each said securing memberincluding a surface overlying said base for securing the razor head insaid holder, each said surface being tapered in width, the widthdecreasing inwardly from the end of said end wall.
 12. The holder asclaimed in claim 11 wherein said base has a planar upper surfaceextending substantially the entire length of said base.
 13. The holderas claimed in claim 12 for use with a razor that includes a guard memberand two guard surfaces, one at each end of said guard member, saidholder further including two parallel rib members having surfacesdisposed above the plane of said base for engaging said guard surfacesand supporting said guard member so that said guard member does nottouch said base.
 14. The holder as claimed in claim 13 wherein saidsecond stop structure further includes two opposed spaced side walls,one of said latch members being formed in each said side wall, thatportion of each side wall carrying said latch member being spaced fromsaid base, each said upper surface being outwardly inclined and eachsaid intermediate surface being inwardly inclined so that a latch edgeis defined at the junction of said upper and intermediate surfaces pastwhich the razor handle is snapped for latching engagement by saidintermediate surface.